Long boards are yesterday's news, rollerblades went out with the '90s and skateboards are just too boring. The evolution of personal transportation is now in the age of the snakeboard.
The snakeboard is a space-age board, which propels riders when they stand on two platforms. Riders move their feet in and out while twisting the upper body. Once you get the hang of it, the snakeboard is faster and more maneuverable than any other type of board. Not to mention, chock full of tremendous fun and good exercise.
The snakeboard was invented in 1989 by South Africans James Fisher and Oliver Macleod-Smith. The two 19-year-old college students were looking to simulate extreme sports such as surfing, snowboarding, skiing and skateboarding. As a result, they spawned the snakeboard, which has two hinged platforms (for your feet), connected by a plastic or metal beam in between.
The snakeboard's unique steering ability makes it easy to maneuver. The key advantage of the snakeboard is that riders can generate a forward motion, even uphill or in a standstill position, without having their feet ever touch the ground.
In 1994, just a short five years after its invention, snakeboarding saw its first World Championships in Guernsey (off the coast of England). Jay Beatty was crowned snakeboarding's first World Champion. Since then, there have been World Championships almost every year.
The boards range in price from about $150 to $200 and can be found online at www.snakeboard.com. Model names include "the Skinner," "the Stiffy" and "the Spluge."
Snakeboard.com also offers special packages to upgrade boards. Velcro straps and premium suspension shocks can be added for stability.
Put that one-dimensional skateboard in the closet and never take your feet off of a snakeboard.
Reach the reporter at tyler.thompson@asu.edu.
